Signal apparatus



IU ii W. T. TABB.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1917.

Patented Aug. y8, 1922.

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SGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLxcATxqN FILED MAY 5. 1917.

1,424,859. Patented Aug. 8, 1922 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. T. TABB.

SIGNAL APPARATUS. PPHCATION FILED MAY 5| 1917. 1,424,859. Patented Aug. 8, 1922.v

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SIGNAL AFPRAT'US.

Specification of Letters Patent.

lDatented Aue'. 8, i922.

Application nled May 5, 1917.- Serial No. 166,673.

To all fio/7i om t 'may Con/cern,

Be it known that l, llliinrnin T. Teen, a citizen of the United States, and' a resident ot the borough of Manhattan, inthe city or New York, county and State of New York, have invented an luiproveinent in Signal Apparatus, or which the 'following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal apparatus and devices associated therewith, and incre specil'ically to signal apparatus for railway` crossing gates.

One ot the obiects thereof is to provide practical signal apparatus oit reliable and etlective action. Another object is to provide ineans in connection with railway-cross ing gates ole such action to give an elfico tive warning at night, llinother object is to provide an automatically acting valve. ol siinple coi'istruction and dependable action. Other objects will be in pa obvious and in part pointed out hereinal'ter.

The invention accordingly consist-s in the ilfeatures or construction, combinations ol' elements and arrangement ol' parts which will be exemplified in the structure hereinafter described, and the scope oi the application oill which will be indicated in the Yrollowing claiins. l

ln the accompanying drawings in which is shown one ot various possible embodiments ol t iis invention,

Figure l is a diagrammatic elevation ot a railway gate and associated ajliparatus.

F" r= Q, is an end view or a. lainp and d parts, this View being taken along the line ot Figure l, and showing the parts on a large scale, i

lligure 3 is a front view ol the lower portion of the appara-tus shown in Figure 2.

Figure fl is a sectional elet/*ation taken substantially on the line flof Figure 2, cert-ain parts being omitted to show the construction more clearly.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along tl e line 5-5 of Figure 6, certain parts being reinoveo in order to show 'the construction niore clearly. c

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure l' is sectional plan taken along the line 7 7 or FigureQ.

Figure 8 is a iront view or one ol' the lower members ot Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a sectional View along the line 9 9 of Figure 8.

Figure l0 is a sectionall elevation taken along the line lO-lO of Figure 2,

Figure l1 is a sectional view along the linel'l-ll of Figure l0. L;

Figure l2 is a rear view or the parts shown in Figure 1l.

j FigureA lil is sectional view taken along ne une l3ll of Figure lO.

Figure ll is a detail view ot a locking member.

Figure l5 is a cross section along the line l5 or Figurevlll. y

Figure 16 is a sectional view along the line 16,-16 or' Figure 10, certain parts beingomitted. i L

Figure l? is a sectional plan of a hinge cock.

Similar reference characters relier to siinilar parte throughout the severalviews.

7 Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, there is shown at 20 a railway crossing-gate, and'it may' here be noted that this terin is used throughoutin a broad sense. This gate =s I frs'otally mounted upon a pier or support and is counter-balanced at22 so as to swing upwardly as indicated by the arrow upon being driven by the usual gearing a d crank 2li. i

Mounted adjacentthe gate is a tank 25 containing a su aply of compressed.combustible gas, the outlet 26 or' which is controlled as by a hand valve 27.. Frein this point the gas passes through a pressure regulator 2S of the usual construction, and thence by moans of the conduit 29 is led to the support Qi. Suitable bends in the conduit 29.` lead the gas upwardly to a point in the axis about which the gateswings, and then horizontally in alignment with such axis to. a hinge cock, the parts olf which areshown in Fig. 17 ol the drawings. The conduit 29 at its end is threaded within a tube 30 provided with'an integral shoulder 3l. This shoulder is fitted within a sleeve 32 formed on a fitting 33 provided with a discharge port 34C which leads to a pipe'S-. lllithin the sleeve 32 is suitable packing 35 which is wedged against the inclined surface 37 of the shoulder 3l by ineans of a llanged collar 38 compressed by a spring 39. These parts thus forni a stutling box or gland which inakes a tight and secure connection between the pipes 29 and 35 and yet permits the pipe 85 with the litting 33 to which it is secured to rotate about the axis oit the tube 30 which is co-incident with the axis oit the gate 20. The pipe 35 which extends along the gate is thus. permitted to swing freely without interrupting or weakening its. connection with the supply tank lvlounted upon the gate 2() and so disposed as to be in the most effective position when the gate is closed or in operative condition,

is a'lamp 40. The pipe 35 leads to this lamp and'to render the construction more clear, it `may .be noted that'it enters the lamp from the right-hand side, as shown in Figure 3. l

From the pipe 35 at its point of entry 4i,

" the passage 42 leads, asbest. indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6 of the drawings and in full lines in Fig. 5, to a short cross passage 5l and secured to the depending portion 4 43, vthese various passages being drilled out in the cast metal base portion of theA lamp. From passage 43 the main supply passage 44 leads downwardly to an outlet 45 in the circular groove 46. The outer surface of this depending portion 47 `ol" the lamp base is Aprovided with al pair oi these concentric grooves., the outer one 48 o'l which leads vthrough a suitable vent 49 to the main supply passage 5 0 from which point the course ot the main supply of gas will hereinafter be described in detail.

lt may here be noted that the outer ends of these various passages are closed by suitable plugs as at 50a. y

The base litting of the lamp is mounted on the gate 2O by means of a suitable bracket is a casing 52 `olf an automatic valve.

The function of this valve is toturn oil the inain supply of gas as the lamp is swung upwardly into its inoperative position, and

to turn it on as it is swung downwardly toward the roadway. This valve casing is secured to the part 47 by a single bolt or screw 53 in such manner as to permit it to be .f turned angularly about the axis of the screw vfor a purpose hereinafter described.

rlllhe inner surface oi the valve casing provided with a lpair oli concentric grooves exactly registering, with the parts assembled, with the grooves 48' and46 hereinbeftorc referred to. The inner groove 54 on the valve casing is connected with a passage 55 as best shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings ywhich terminates in a chamber 56. rlhreaded within the walls ofy this chamber is a valve fitting drawn from its seat, the main supply of gas l is transmitted from the passa-ge 44 to the passage 50. This valve is automatically controlled by mechanism of the following nature The valve casing is provided not only with the litting in which the chamber 56 .is formed, but with an integral post 63 to which is hinged a swinging plate 64, shown in Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings. This plate has threaded therethrough at 65 and secured in place by the nut 66 a pin 67', in the cup-shaped upper extremity of which is flexibly secured a pin 67. Pin 67 enters the hollow valve 59 and holds it against its seat in opposition to the spring 60. The angular position of the member 64 with respect to its axial pin 68, and consequently the position of the valve with respect to its seat, is determined by a pair of members G9 litted within suitable openings 7.0 in the outer or .tree end of the swinging device. form and contain a suitable weight 7l which travels from end to end thereof as the gate is swung into or out ot operative position. The weight 7l may be an amount of mercury, a metal cartridge, or a number of metalballs. W hen the weight indicated in dotted lines at 71 is at the end of the tubes 69 remote irom'the member 64, the etliect of gravity tendsto swing lthe parts in such direction as to force the valve against its seat and to cut off the main current lflow of gas to the lamp. lllhen however,` the gate is lowered, the entire automatic valve swings with the gateand theweight at a certain point runs to the opposite end oi? the tubes 69 and at such time the etl'ect olf gravity swings the member 64 in the opposite direction, opens the valve 59, and permits the main current oit gas to low to the passage 50.

By the mounting oi' the automatic valve upon the base of the'lamp by means of the lscrew 53 and by reason of the connection through the various concentricv grooves, the angular position of the automatic valve with respect to the gate may be adjusted at will with a corresponding adjustment 'of the gate angle at which the gas vwill be turned on to the lamp.

By the above means, the flow of gas to the passage 50 is automatically controlled in accordance with the position ot the gate. From the passage 5Q, the gas passes through a horizontal passage 72 inthe lower wall 73 ot the lamp base,'and thence upwardly to a 'These' members 69 are of tubular (lll valve seat 74. This lowerv portion of the lamp base Vforms a chamber 75, the top of which comprises a flexible resilient diaphragm 76 normally urged downwardly as by a spiral spring 77. The diaphragm 7G is provided with a slotted post 78 as shown semi-diagrammatically in Fig. 4 of theA drawings. linmediately beneath this post and between the valve seat 74 and a similar valve seat 79 is a valve rocker pivoted at 80 and provided with a pair of valves 8l and 82, respectively co-acting with the valve seats 74 and 79. The rocker is always held in one of two alternative positions by means of a short spring 88 stretched between the lowermost point of the roclrer and a titled pin 84 in such position that it snaps across the axis of the pivot 8O and is contracted as it moves either one or the other of the valves against its seat. 'The slotted post 78 embraces looselyan arm 85 formed on the valve rocker. Assuming that the chamber beneath the diaphragm has become tilled with gas, thus forcing the diaphragm upwardly against pressure of spring 77, this action will throw the parts into the position shown in Fig. 4 o'l' the drawings, withthe valve 8l against the seat of the inlet passage, and the valve 82 away from its seat 79. The gradual return of the diaphragm to normal position eXpels the gas through the valve seat 79 until the tripping post 78 comes into engagement with the arm 85 on the valve roclrer and snaps the latter into its opposite position with the inlet valve open and the outlet valve closed. This is repeated so long as the main supply of gas continues and results in an intermittent flow of gas outwardly through the valve seat 79. It will also be seen that by suitable adjustment of the flashing mechanism and by throttling the inlet and outlet gas passages, the light and dark periods of the lamp may be regulated as desired.

From the valve seat 79 a passage 86 leads outwardly to a cross passage 87 which joins an upright passage 89. The passage 89 registers with a passage 90 in the upper portion of the lamp base which in turn leads to the base of the burner tube 91 and thence to the burner.

ln this manner when the gate is closed, there is a suitable supply of gas automatically turned on to the lamp and this supply is iced to the burner intermittently, thus giving a correspondingly intermittent illuminaf tion or series ot' flashes which renders lthe signal much more effective at night.

ln order to lreep the light burning with a minimum consumption of gas, there is fed to the burner or to a separate pilot burner, il' desired, a continuous slight llow of gas whereby a small flame is always present and the main flow of gas instantly and automatically ignited. This continuous flow is independent of the automatic valve and independent of the flashing apparatus and is preferably led direct from the passage 44 by means of a passage 92 to the passage lThere is areferabl irovided a small needle l .Y l

.Stop for example may be formed on the glass face of `the hood and illuminated by a suitable reflector forming the opposite face of the hoodf- The body of the lamp is provided with suitable air inlet openings 99 in the upper portion oit its base and with the customary chimney 96 at its upper end.

Fromthe above des-srription the action ot the apparatus will be substantizfilly clear. It may be noted that normally the gate is upwardly inclined or substantially vertical and that in this position the automatic valve, by reason of the effect of gravity on the mercury, cuts o'tll the main gas supply oit the lamp. The pilot or small flame is however continuously supplied. When the gate is thrown downwardly into operative position, the main gas'supply is turned on and the lamp immediately starts to flash its warning signal. This continuesl so long as the gate is in use, but when the latter is swung upwardly, the lamp is again automatically rendered inoperative. T he gas' in the tank is thus economically used, and due 'to its hinge connection with the'conduit on the gate, a large heavy tank may be employed without in any way impeding` the action of the gate and without the chance oit leakage. Y l

lt will thus be seen that there is provided apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well suited to meet thel requirements of the hardest practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood. that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. v

l claim as my invention znl. lin apparatus of the class described, in combination, a crossing gate, means adapted to move said gate into and out of position, a source ot ight mounted on said gate,

lOO

means adapted to supply said source of light witn energy ior conversion intolight, and a gravity actuated means mounted on said gate and adapted to controlv the flow of said energy from said supply means to said source oll light thereby tovfrender operative said source of light as said gate is moved into operative position and to render said ysource of light inoperative as said gate is lO moved into inoperative position.

2. In apparatus of the class-described, in combination, a crossing-gate, means adapted to move said gate into and yout of operative position, a gas lamp mounted on said gate, a source of gas supply, means adapted to turn on the gas to said lamp as said gate is moved into operative position and to turn oli said gas as the gate is moved into inoperative position.

'3. Inapparatus of the class described, in

combination', a crossing-gate, means adapted to move said gate into and out of operative position, a gas lamp, a source of gas supply, and means adapted to turn on the gas to said lamp las said gate is moved into opera tive position and .toturn off said gas as the gate is moved into inoperative position, said lamp being mounted on said gate and said gas being turned on and oli" by movement of said gate.

4. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a crossing-gate, means adapted to swing said gate into and out oi operative position, a lamp mounted on said gate, a 'gas conduit 'leading substantially :from the axis of said gate to said lamp, a source of supply, a gas conduit leading from said source of supply substantially tosaid axis, and a pair of relatively movable members substantially at said axis having a gas-tight joint therebetween and forming a passage fromone to the other, one oi" said members being connected with one of said conduits and the other member being connected with the other conduit. v

5. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a crossing-gate, means adapted to swing said gate into and out of operative position, a lamp mounted on said gate, a gas conduit leading substantially from the axis ot said gate to said lamp, a sourcey of gas supply, a gas conduit leading from said source of supply,v substantially to said axis, a member having a passage substantially co-incident with said aXisand connected with said second conduit, a member connected with said iirst conduit and mounted to swing with the same about said axis, said members being tit-ted one within the other, and resilient means urging said members together and forming between said members a gas-tight joint. l v n 6. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a crossing-gate, means adapted toy move said gate into and out of operative position, al gas burner mounted upon said gate, a source of gas supply, means adapted to connect said source oit supply with said burner, and means adapted intermittently to vary thesupply of gas to said burner.

7. In apparatus ot the class described, in combination, acrossing-gate, a gas burner mounted on said gate, a source of gas supply, means forming a chamber having a resilient wall, a connection from said chamber to said source of gas supply, a connection from said chamber to said burner, and means adapted alternatively to render said connections operative. f

8. In apparatus of theclass described, in combination, a crossing-gate, means adapted to swing said gate into and out ont operative position, alamp mounted on said gate, a gas conduit leading substantially from the axisoi said gate to said lamp, a source of gas supply, a gas conduit leading from said source oit supply'substantially to said axis, a pair of relatively movable members substantially at said axis having a gas-tight `ioint tl'ierebetween and forming `a passage from one to the other, one of said members being connected with one of said conduits and the other member being-connected with the other conduit, and means adapted to turn the gas to said lamp oil1 and on according as said gate is moved into inoperative or operative position. f

9. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a crossing-gate, means adapted to swing saidgat-e into and out of operative position, a lamp mounted on said gate, a gas conduit leading substantially from theaXis of said gate to said lamp, a source of gas supply, a gas conduit leading from said source of supply substantially to said axis, a pair of relatively movable members sub`v stantially at said axis having a gas-tight joint therebetween and forming a passage to move said gate into and out ot' operative po-v sition, a gas lamp, a source of gas supply,

-means adapted to turn on the gas to said lamp as said gate is moved into operative position and toturn oit said gas as the gate is moved into inoperative position, said lamp being mounted on said gate and said gas be ing turned Von and o by movement of said gate, and means adapted intermittently to vary the supply oi gas to said source of light while said gate is in operative position.

l1. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a crossing-gate, means adapted to swing said gate into and out of operative position` a lamp mounted on said gate, a gas conduit leading substantially from the axis of said gate to said lamp, a source of gas supply, a gas conduit leading from said source of supply substantially to said axis, a pair of relatively movable members substantially at said axis having a gas-tight jointv ply, a gas conduit leading from said source of supply substantially to said anis, a pair of relatively movable members substantially at said axis having a gas-tight joint therebetween and forming a passage from one to the other, one of said members being connected with one of said conduits and the other member bein@` connected with the other conduit, means adapted to turn the gas to said lamp oit and on according as said gate is moved into inoperative or operative position, and means adapted intermittently to flash said lamp while said gate is in operative position.

13. In apparatus of the class described, in

combination, a crossing-gate, means adapted to swing said gate into and out of operativel position, a lamp mounted on said gate, a gas conduit leading substantially from the aXis of said gate to said lamp, a source of gas supply, a gas conduit leading from said source of supply substantially to said axis, a pair oi' relatively movable members substantially at said axis having a gas-tight joint therebetween and forming a passage from one to the other, one of said members being connected with one of said conduits and the other member being connected with the other conduit, means adapted intermittently to vary the supply o'f gas to said lamp while said gate is in operative position, and means adapted to adjust the position in which said device becomes operative.

lll. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a crossingsgate, a lamp mounted on said gate, a source of gas supply, con` nections from said source of gas supply to said lamp, a valve in said connections, a supporting device mounted on said gate, a piv otally mounted member on said supporting device controlling said valve, a weight mounted on said member and movable with respect thereto to swing said member, and a mounting for said supporting device adapted to permit it to be adjusted to vary the time of action of said weight with respect to the position of said gate.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 2nd day of Bday, 1917.

WARNER T. TABB. 

